Stoughton superintendent outlines new elementary school, redistricting, HVAC grants and transition plans

Dr. Joseph Baietta, superintendent of Stoughton Public Schools, told listeners on Around Town with Dave Walsh that the district is advancing a long‑planned new elementary school project and expects to begin site work in spring, contingent on town approvals and contract selection.

The superintendent said the district’s construction subcommittee will interview three construction firms on Aug. 13 and that the project team is pursuing a land swap with the town that would keep a secondary roadway — Fano Drive — from becoming a full public through‑road. “It completely eliminates the two bridges concept,” Baietta said, adding that not building bridges would lower costs and open more options for entrance and exit configurations. He said the swap is subject to select board and town meeting approval and that the school committee will be asked to support the proposal on Aug. 26.

Baietta said the district must follow Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) rules for square footage once a project is approved. “The square footage of the building cannot change per MSBA,” he said, and the district will submit costs for MSBA reimbursement; the amount to be reimbursed was not specified in the conversation.

On other buildings, Baietta said the Gibbons playground ADA upgrades were completed this week and that a Hansen School playground project has begun. He announced that Stoughton received a $2,400,000 state grant to replace or upgrade the Wilkins School HVAC system and that the district is entering negotiations with a selected contractor to finalize a contract before 2027.

Baietta outlined additional facilities concerns at the middle school (referred to as OMS), saying older systems — including heating and a 25‑year‑old septic system near modular classrooms — will require capital planning. He said modular classrooms added in 2000 are “breaking down” and that a third‑party security audit produced high‑level recommendations now being folded into the district capital plan.

The superintendent described steps on redistricting: the district will begin public redistricting meetings this fall, keep work by an open redistricting committee with posted agendas and minutes, and aims to deliver options to the school committee by 2027 so families have time to plan. “Redistricting...is an educational nightmare. Right? There’s gonna be people not happy,” Baietta said, while stressing the process will be public and deliberate.

Baietta also discussed district administrative changes: he said he had completed a succession plan, is outlining transition work for incoming superintendent Julie Miller, and that Miller will assume the superintendent role on July 1, 2026. The district plans a separate search for a new high school principal, with a likely posting in November 2025, interviews beginning in January 2026 and a target to name a finalist by around March 1, 2026.

On instructional strategy, Baietta described the triennial plan’s priorities as instructional coaching and literacy, a “portrait of a graduate” competency framework to align K–12 expectations, and continued focus on special education and multilingual learners. He said the district’s English‑language‑learner population continues to grow; as a result, three kindergarten classrooms were added this year at Hanson, Wilkins and South.

The district also reported operational updates: a central registration/welcome center has been established in the Jones building with a Walnut Street entrance and year‑round staff to streamline enrollment and home language screening. Jeffrey Pickett, director of communications, summarized back‑to‑school dates: staff convocation Sept. 2, grades 1–12 start Sept. 3, and preschool and kindergarten begin Sept. 8; bilingual parent night is scheduled for Sept. 24. Pickett said the district’s calendar and school supply lists are available on the district website.

Baietta closed by emphasizing the district’s intent to align capital moves — new elementary opening, redistricting, and potential relocation of central office and preschool to Wilkins — so students’ needs are prioritized first and other moves follow as feasible. He said he aims to leave draft plans and schedules in place so the incoming superintendent can refine them.